Electrotherapeutic appliance.



w. B. OLIVER.

ELEGTROTHERAPEUTIG APPLIANCE.

APPLICATION, FILED JULY a, 1908.

1,049,759. I Patented Jan. 7, 1913.

' f I s SHEETS-SHEET 1.

WITNESSES: INVENTORI Q mum/ 15. OLIVE/i, W W

Wit?! W. B. OLIVER.

ELEGTROTHBRAPEUTIG APPLIANCE.

APPLIOATION FILED JULY 8, 1908.

049,759 w Patented Jan. 7, 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

-' WITNESSESZ INVENTORI lmmm- 5. 01.11/55 W, B. OLIVER.

- ELEGTEOTHERAPBUTIG APPLIANCE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 8, 1908 1,049,759. Patented Jan.'7,1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

WITNESSES: INVENTORI mum/u 5. 01.11 55,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM B. OLIVER, COLLINGSWOOD, JERS EY, ASSIGNOR TO OLIVER ELEC- TRIO COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENN- SYLVANIA.

ELECTROTHIIRAPEUTIC APPLIANCE.

Patented Jan. 7, 1913.

Application filed July 8, 1908. Serial N 0. 442,457.

To all whom it may concern:

Be'it known that I, WILLIAM B. OLIVER, of Collingswood, in the county of Camden and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrotherapeutic Appliances, whereof the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

The object of my invention is to provide an apparatus for treating selected portions.

of the human body by the employment of mechanical massage in connection with an electric current which may be restricted to the parts undergoing the massage treatment or may be extended was to include other portions of the body of the patient.

The organization in whichmy improvements are embodied comprises a handle and a plurality of rollers arranged at suitable distances for convenient passage over the curved as well as the flatter portions of the human frame, the apparatus comprising a self-contained source of electricity as well as an induction coil.

Certain specific features of the invention relate to devices whereby a difference in the character of the circuits and in the locality of their application may be obtained by means of suitable adjustments, so that the electrical treatment may be greatly varied to suit the demands of individual cases.

The arrangement of the rollers and handle is such that powerful penetrative massage strokes may be applied tothe tissues of the patient, and the arrangement of the electric circuits is such that not only the immediate region which is undergoing massage, but other portions also of the body and limbs of the patient may be simultaneously subjected to the action of electric currents. Moreover, the currents flowing throu h the several circuits are inherently of di erent character and they may be separately or enmulatively employed. The strength of the currentsmay also be varied or regulated in the usual manner characteristic of electrotherapeutic apparatus. 7

Furthermore, I provide means whereby in the event of the exhaustion of the self-conto the absence of the special cells required for the instrument itself.

I believe that by the use of the improve ments about to be described a range and flexibility of application is secured which has never before been possible in electrotherapeutic treatment.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure I, is a side elevation of the device. Fig. II, is a vertical section taken longitudinally of the handle and transversely of the rolls. Fig. III, is a view showing the right hand end of the handle in elevation, and a longitudinal vertical section through the corresponding roll. Fig. IV, is an end elevation as viewed from the left hand side of Fig. I. Fig. V, is a vertical section through the handle taken ,on the line V, V, in Figs. I, and II. Fig.

VI, is a diagrammatic view of the connections by which the various circuits may be made.

In said drawings, the tubular handle 1, is made of hard fiber or other suitable material, and to this handleare attached four depending arms 2, 3, 4, and 5, which are also attached to braces 8, and 9, and form supports for the journal pins of the rolls 10, and 11. Said arms are insulated from each other and from the handle, and are utilized in afi'ording connection with the battery cells, as willbe more fully explained.

The construction of both rolls with their electric cells being identical, the description of one will'suflice for both. The roll 10, comprises a tubular metallic shell 12, having a peripheral depression 14, formed therein for the reception of a brush contact member 15, which is adapted to bear against the bottom of said depression. In the respective ends of said shell 12, are insulating cups 16, and 17, provided with bushings 18, and 19, respectively, made of insulating material and forming bearings for the journal pins 20, and 21. These pins may be partly threaded and provided with lock nuts 22, 23, whereby they may be secured in adjusted position with their inner ends firmly pressed against the electrodes of the cell.

The cell 25, is preferably of one of the well known types employed in dry batteries, and in the instance shown comprises an outer cylindrical metallic container 26, constituting one of the electrodes, and an inner axial rod 27 which constitutes the other electrode. Said cell is filled with any suitable electrolyte 28, and sealed with a plug 29, of insulating material.

Within the tubular handle 1, is a wooden spool 30, on which are wound a primary coil 31, and a secondary coil 32, of standard medical battery type, having a central laminated or filamentous iron core 33, inserted axially in said spool. One end of the primary coil 31, is connected to a contact plate 34, secured to the adjacent end of the handle 1, and the other end of said primary coil is connected to a contact plate 35, secured to the other end of said handle. One end of the secondary coil 32, is connected to a contact plate 36, which is located beside, but insulated from the contact plate 34, and the other end of said secondary coil is connected to the contact plate 35.

Slidably mounted upon the spool 30, so as to move over the primary and secondary coils, is a copper sleeve 37, to which is attached a pointer 38, adapted to pass over a scale 39, on a split metallic tube 40, extending over a portion of the outside of the handle and is intended to be grasped by the hand when the device is operated. By moving the sleeve 37, longitudinally, the induced current may be gradually increased or decreased, as desired, the adjustments being indicated by the pointer 38. At one end of the tube 40, is a tongue 41, which is integral with the metal thereof and is bent radially inward to form a, support for the pivoted switch arm 42. Attached to the end of the handle 1, in close proximity to the core 33, and connected to the arm 4, is the vibrating spring 45, of a current interrupter, having an armature 46, secured thereto, and also a small weight 47, to emphasize the action of the spring. A contact screw 50, is mounted in an angular extension of the plate 35, and is adjustable with relation to the vibrating spring 45.

The shell 13,. of the roller 11, is in contact with a brush 51, mounted upon the brace 9, and connected to the contact plate 35. A switch arm 52, is pivotally mounted upon a horizontal extension 53, of a contact plate 54, secured to the end of the handle 1, above the vibrating spring 45. Said switch arm 52, is bent to come in contact with the curved upper portions of-the arms 4, and 5, as desired. A switch arm 60, is pivotally mounted upon an upwardly projecting extension 61, of anangle plate 62, passing between the brace 8, and the under side of the tubular handle I. Said angle plate is provided with a depending projection 63, to which the brush 15, is connected. The contact plates 34, 35, and 36, are provided with threaded holes 64, 65, and 66, respectively, with which electrodes or applicators of any desired type commonly used with medical batteries may be employed. In the diagrammatic view of Fig. VI, I have conventionally indicated handles 70, and 71, provided with sponges at their ends and connected by wires 73, and 74, respectively, (see dotted lines) with the plates 34, and 36.

In order to provide means for connecting an auxiliary source of current with the device in case of the exhaustion of the cells, and to obviate any delay in getting a new supply of the special cells, I provide the auxiliary contact sockets 80, and 81, which are mounted in the brace 8, and to which any common form of battery 82, may be connected through the conductors 83, and 84, (as indicated by the conventional representations and dotted lines in Fig. VI).

The socket 80, is connected to the arm 2, by means of a wire 85, and said socket is also connected to the contact plate 54, by means of a wire 86, passing through the handle 1. The socket 81, is connected to the contact plate 34, by a wire 87, and to the arm 3, by a wire 88.

The arm 4, is connected to the inner electrode 90, of the cell in the roller 11, by means of a journal pin 91, and the arm 5, is connected to the outer electrode 92, by means of the journal pin 93.

Vith the connections arranged as shown in Fig. VI, and the switch arm 52, in contact with the arm 4, the following circuits may be produced: The primary or exciting current from the cell 25 passes from electrode 27, through pin 21, arm 2, wire 85, socket 80, wire 86, plate 54, switch arm 52, contact to plate 36, to the other terminal of the secondary coil. This ives a localized application of the Faradic or induced secondary current. Another current moreover is re. induced in the primary coil 31, in accordance with the alternations and variations of the induced current flowing through the secondary coil, such re-induced current, (which for purposes of convenient description may be referred to as the tertiary current), is entirely distinct from the primary or exciting current from the battery itself, but flows in a direction similar thereto, and is of lower potential than the secondary current. Said tertiary re-induced current in the primary coil 31, flows from one terminal thereof through the plate 35, and brush 51, to shell 13, passes thence through that portion of the body which is in contact with the shell 13, to the arm and hand of the patient (as indicated by dotted and dash lines -95 and 96), thence to the sleeve 40, which is grasped by the hand of the patient, and thence through the tongue 41, switch arm 42, and plate 34, to the other terminal of the primary coil 31.

With the connections and switches as shown in Fig. VI, the secondary and tertiary currents will divide, a portion of both cur-' rents passing through their regular paths as above described, While the other portions of these currents will pass through a third circuit with cumulative eifect. The path of this third circuit is as follows: from secondary coil #32 to plate 35, primary coil 31, to plate 34, to switch arm 42, tongue 41, thence to sleeve 40, which is grasped by the hand of the patient, thence through the arm and body (as indicated by dotted and dashed lines 96 and 97) to shell 12, and brush 15, switch arm 60,.and plate 36, back to the other terminal of the secondary coil 32.

If the switch arm 60, be disconnected from the plates 34, and 36, and the arm 42, connected with the plate 34, there will be an application of the tertiary currentreinduced in the primary coil through the hand, arm, and body. If the switch arm 42,

be swung over to the plate 36, there will be a similar diffused a plication of the secondary current, and i the switch arm 42, be disconnected from both the plates 34, and 36, and the arm 60, be connected to plate 34, there will be an application of the tertiary current, re-induced in the primary coil,-

which will be localized in that portion of the body which is between the rollers 10, and 11. If the switch arm 60, be swung over to the plate 36, there will be a similar localized application of the secondary current. If the and electrodes 7 0, and 71, be grasped and connected to plates 34, and 36, respectively, with the other connections as shown in Fig. VI, there will be an application of the tertiary current re-induced in the primary coil, and the secondary current induced in the secondary coil, cumulatively combined. If the hand-electrode 71, be connected to socket 65, there will be an application of tertiary current re-induced in the primary circuit alone. If the electrodes be connected to sockets 65, and 66, there will be an application of the secondary current alone.

When it is desired to increase the strength of the primary and secondary currents, this may be effected by turning the switch arm 52, to connect with contact 5, thereby placing the two cells in series.

In addition to thenovel and valuable features above described as characteristic of the electrical possibilities of the device, it will be noted that structurally the apparatus is of great simplicity and strength and that the parts are readily accessible for adjustment and can be removed and replaced with great facility.

Having thus described my invention, I

claim: l 1. An electrical massage apparatus comprising the following parts in combination: a handle adapted to act as an electrode; a massage roller having a conducting surface; a source of electricity insulated from said surface; an induction coil; and an automatic current interrupting device; said induction coil and current interrupting device being self-contained; and devices whereby said handle and the surface of said roller may be placed in circuit with the secondary element of said induction coil; whereby the circuit for the induced current may be completed through the person of the patient from points respectively in contact with the handle and the surface-of the roller.

2. An electrical massage apparatus comprising the following parts in combination: a handle adapted to act as an electrode; a plurality of massage rollers, having conducting surfaces; a source of electricity insulated from said surfaces; an induction coil; and an automatic current interrupting device; an intensity regulator; and devices whereby the surface of one or both of said rollers and said handle may be placed in circuit with the secondary coil, whereby the circuit of the secondary current may be completed through the person of the patient from points in contact with said handle and said roller or rollers respectively, and said current may be varied in strength.

3. An electrical massage apparatus comprising the following parts in combination: a handle electrode; a plurality of massage electrodes; an induction coil; a source of h electricity for the primary circuit of said coil; a current interrupting device; and means for electrically connecting the said massage electrodes, jointly or severally, and the said handle electrode, in circuit with the resultant currents of the primary and secondary coils of said induction device.

4. In anelectrical massage apparatus, the

combination of a handle; a plurality of massage rollers; a self-contained battery cell; an induction coil; two of said rollers and said handle being arranged to operate as electrodes of opposite polarity and insulated from the direct path of the primary circuit; and means for connecting said electrodes in circuit, with either of the induced or resultant currents of the primary and secondary coils.

5. In an electrical massage apparatus, the combination of a hollow handle; an induction 00 contained therein; a current in terrupting device; a plurality of massage rollers each of said rollers comprising an external metallic shell adapted to act as an electrode and an internal battery cell insulated from said shells; electrical connections for said battery arranged in axial re lation to said roller, but insulated from the peripheral surface thereof, said electrical connections leading to the primary coil; and contact brushes bearing upon the external periphery of said rollers, and in circuit with the induced, or resultant, currents of the said induction coil.

6. In an electricalmassage apparatus, the combination of a hollow handle; an induction coil contained therein; a current interrupting device; a plurality of massage rollers, each of said rollers comprising an external metallic shell adapted to act as an electrode and an internal battery cell insulated from said shell; electrical connections for said battery arranged in axial relation to said roller, but insulated from the peripheral surface thereof, said electrical connections leading from the primary coil; contact brushes bearing upon the external periphery of said rollers and being provided with electrical connections in circuit with the-induced, or resultant currents of circuit of the resultant, or induced rcurrents of the respective coils. a

8. In an electrical massage apparatus, the combination of a hollow handle; an induction coil contained within said handle; hollow massage rollers; battery' cells contained within said rollers, said battery cells "being electricallyinsulated from the external sur- .electrically insulated from the external surface of the roller, but electrically connected with the primary induction coil; means whereby the external surfaces of the rollers may be electrically connected in-circuit with the resultant, or induced currents of the induction coil; and switching devices whereby one or more of the battery cells may be placed in circuit wit-h the primary coil.

10. In an electro-therapeutic apparatus comprising an induction coil device, and means for inducing secondary and tertiary or resultant currents in the respective coils thereof; the combination of an electrode common to the circuit of both coils; and a plurality of individual electrodes severally in circuit with the respective coils; whereby, on application to the patient, the circuit for one of said currents may be completed through the common electrode and one of the individual electrodes, the circuit for an- ,other of said currents may be completed through the common electrode and another of the individual electrodes, and the circuits of both currents cumulatively applied may be completed through individual electrodes.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this sixth day of July 1908.

WILLIAM B. OLIVER. 

